Ironmongers -v- DIY stores.

[vivandorron]

Are there other ABers who, like me, wish that we still had real old Ironmonger shops; instead of large DIY outlets that never have the very small items you sometimes need. (e.g. new springs for door handles.)? You can end-up changing all the door handles in a small hallway, because it's very unlikely you'll get new springs; and you'll have great difficulty matching the handles which are still in working order. Furthermore, it's likely to be the case that new handles will be of poorer quality to the originals.

[B00]

We still have one in our town!!!

The only problem is that it's run by a very scary old lady who most of us are convinced is Norman Bates's mum.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

we have one too.

[raysparx1]

They are dying out,shame when they all go,same thing with bike repairs,you used to be able to buy,chain links,grease and ball bearings,spokes etc, but now virtually everything is pre-packed so instead of buying ball bearings,sorry you need a whole cog.

[mike_jln]

yes, it would be great to get all the little bits and pieces again instead of having to buy multipacks of things and paying over the top for them!

[vivandorron]

There was an Ironmongers in my village and the owner was a personal friend.
However, he died and his son sold the premises to a Beauty Specialist who is unable to provide the springs, etc. I need at my age

raysparx1 mentioning prepacked items has made me recall a chorus line that Richard Stillgoe wrote for one of his ditties involving trying to buy something at an Ironmongers and was met with the response (I hope I remember it correctly)
which was:-

They come in little plastic packs, in groups of five or ten;
and they havn't come in singles, since I can't remember when.
They come in little plastic packs; they're easier to sell;
and they look as nice, at twice the price:
But They don't work half as well.

Sorry if I appear to be a bit screwy or off the hinge.......Ron

[mike_jln]

that just about sums it up ron! nice one.

[raysparx1]

You got it right there Ron,nice one indeed

[Agent_Smith]

GOOD NEWS!!!!

i have a small fencing and shed shop that has a large yard to keep my stock in, but my shop looked empty so we are turning into an old style DIY shop!!

we sell nails that we put in bags and my shop now smells of sawdust?? and i dont even sell sawdust!!!

we are bringing new stock in daily and its great to see the old boys spending half an hour in the shop....,.just looking???

[raysparx1]

Brill news Ruge, good on yer,wish you good luck with the shop, Ray

[vivandorron]

Congrats Agent_Smith. ( or should I say Ruge ) I hope your shop does well. I wish it were near me;I feel sure I'd be buying not just looking.

You say you sell nails...I once bought from my friend a 2kilo bag of mixed nails very cheaply, he explained to me that they were factory floor sweepings of all those that overshoot from the machines which turn them out at a very fast rate.
There was one only of a particular nail I coudn't idenify a use for it. However it turned out to be a tine for a garden rake.

Good night/morning everyone, I'm now off to get my beauty sleep......Ron

[Agent_Smith]

i have a box of mixed nails for sale for �6.99 in a 25 kg box!

[raysparx1]

Wish I was nearer ruge I would have some.

[vivandorron]

So would I Ray.

In the meantime, I am at a loss to understand the fact that my comments now appear against a pink background with the header 'Question Author'

Have I done something wrong?................Ron

[raysparx1]

Ron, the pink thing is new,it comes up when the person who asks the question then posts an answer,I think, good question this one.

[Agent_Smith]

i wondered about this new pink thing aswell???

[vivandorron]

Thanks Ray and A_S for having 'nailed' this one.
I was thinking that someone was doubting the validity of my comments................Ron